New York City FC’s resurgence in form over the last few weeks has started from the back — mainly the return to health of both Alexander Callens and Thiago Martins, but also because the team has adopted the back three system.
Ever since Patrick Vieira took the reins of the club and implemented the City Football Group style of play, NYCFC have lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with attacking fullbacks and a defensive midfielder that slots between the center-backs in possession. Vieira’s successor Domé Torrent preached tactical flexibility. He was constantly switching up formations and first found his success implementing a 3-4-3 or 5-2-3 formation (depending on where you view the positioning of the fullbacks) in early 2019.